GARY JOHN COMACK

Condolences & Memories (33 entries)

• What a tragic loss, on so many levels. The lives that Gary enriched went far beyond his immediate family. I feel honoured to have called him both my friend and colleague. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and students. - Posted by: Janet Slaney (friend and fellow COP colleague (2007)) on: Aug 06, 2013

• Sorry to hear of the passing of my former varsity basketball coach. Mr. Comack instilled the desire to push yourself and be the best you could be and to never second guess yourself and your abilities. He showed belief in me being one of the younger players on the team and had confidence in me on the court. Being a teacher and coach myself, I strive to instill the same qualities in my students. Never a time goes by when meeting former teammates that Mr. Comack's name comes up and what a great coach and man he was. He was respected by all. We'll miss you! My sympathies to the Comack Family! Ken Pankiewich - Posted by: Ken Pankiewich (Former Sisler Varsity Boys Basketball Team #4 (82-84) ) on: Aug 01, 2013

• Gary and I met at COP 2005. Gary is an original. He had a profound belief in people.. Gary had that magical balance of deep humility and determination in his leadership Gary could talk, but he could also listen. You'd leave a conversation with Gary a wiser person. The laughter and the learning we shared at Rotman will be cherished forever and always. Good-bye my friend. - Posted by: Scott Lowrey (Friend and colleague) on: Aug 01, 2013

• My heart is breaking for Gary's family and his furry companion Max. His legacy and love for education will live on through everybody who knew and worked with him. Blessings from Calgary, Lori Pritchard - Posted by: Lori Pritchard (Colleague via Canada's Outstanding Principals, 2013) on: Jul 31, 2013

• Gary Comack earned our respect. He will be missed. Don and Bonnie Rencz - Posted by: Don and Bonnie Rencz () on: Jul 31, 2013

• I was very sad to hear of the passing of Gary. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family. - Posted by: Tom Gallant (Colleague through the Learning Partnership, COP Member 2013) on: Jul 31, 2013

• I was so shocked to hear of Gary's passing. He was such a caring man so committed to his profession. During our yearly gatherings in Toronto he often related stories of his family and I could tell how much he loved all of you. I hope your family is taking comfort in your treasured memories and the love and support of friends and family. You are in my thoughts. With deepest sympathy, Joan Green - Posted by: Joan Green (Colleague through Canada's Outstanding Principals) on: Jul 30, 2013

• I met Gary in 2007 and was immediately impressed with his evident care for his students and his commitment to education. I looked forward to meeting with him each year at our February sessions. He had a special way of making each of us feel important! God speed my friend. We are all better people for having known you. My sincerest condolences to family and friends. - Posted by: John Morrison (Colleague through TLP) on: Jul 30, 2013

• I am deeply saddened by this news. I have known Gary for the past 10 years through our work with TLP. I value him as both a colleague and a friend. He truly had a deep joy for life, for education and, most importantly, his family. He has made quite a mark on our world. He will be missed. God Speed, Gary. - Posted by: Susan and Gary Murray (The Learning Partnership) on: Jul 30, 2013

• Gary was a thoughtful, kind, and wise contributor and member of the National Academy of Principals. I looked forward to seeing him and our other members at our annual conference in Toronto hosted by The Learning Partnership and the Rotman Institute. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: Darlene Nuqingaq (National Academy of Principals' Colleague) on: Jul 30, 2013

• Colleen, Louis and family, I was very shocked to hear of your brother passing Colleen. I am so sorry to your whole family for this loss. Your brother was a very good example of leadership from what I read. Bless your whole family with strength and courage as you go through this together. Sharon - Posted by: sharon rathore (mother to Tamara Leclerc, Christian Leclerc's wife and son to Colleen (Comack) and Louis Leclerc) on: Jul 29, 2013

• Sorry to hear so late of Gary's passing. Thank you and fond memories of Gary's kindness to our family. Condolences to Susie and the girls. - Posted by: Terry and Mary Maychruk (Wife's cousin) on: Jul 28, 2013

• I was out of the country when Gary died. I am so shocked, and so sorry for his passing and my heart goes out to all his family. I will greatly miss him. He was a good friend, a good leader and a very generous and kind person. - Posted by: Francisco (Pancho) Puelles (friend, co-worker) on: Jul 28, 2013

• I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. The Commack family was a huge part of our life growing up. I have many fond memories of Winnipeg beach and Christmas visits shared with your family. As an adult I was always impressed how much he cared for his mom and would always bring her to church on Sunday. Even after your mom passed away he would be at church and say good morning to me when I was in town and went to church. - Posted by: Cathy Falconer (Family friend) on: Jul 28, 2013

• I am very sad to hear about the loss of one of our great colleagues in Winnipeg School Division. I met Gary when I was a new administrator and secretary of the Winnipeg Principals and Vice-Principals Association. He was a great mentor and friend. I will miss him!! I am sorry that I was not able to be at the celebration of Gary's life as I am out of the country. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. - Posted by: Sandy Intrater (Colleague) on: Jul 27, 2013

• I learned so many things from Gary. I had the pleasure of being close friends with Gary and Susan back in the 1980's. They were such special times. I enjoyed coaching with Gary and he was one of the key influencers in my choosing a career in education. To Gary's family, I still have many fond memories of a great person. We laughed hard at many things Gary always made sure that we did our best for the students we had contact with. You will be missed by me and by many others. Brad - Posted by: Brad Scibak (Friend) on: Jul 26, 2013

• My condolences to the Comack family. He is one teacher / leader i had that i remember well and think of often. I remember sitting through many of lunch hours with Mr. Comack while he went to great lengths to teach me trig. He will be greatly missed. Truly a great guy. - Posted by: Ryan Reeve (My grade 9 or 10 math teacher. Kelvin High.) on: Jul 26, 2013

• My sympathies to Gary's family and especially sister Gail. Gary was a colleague and one of the good guys in the Winnipeg system. My thoughts are with you Gail and as we are on the west coast with Marilyn's daughter and family I am sorry I can't share my thoughts in person. With sincere empathy, Grant Sorensen - Posted by: Grant Sorensen (Colleague) on: Jul 25, 2013

• My condolences to the family. Gary was my varsity basketball coach and taught me great qualities of team work and sportsmanship back in 1981. RIP Gary - Posted by: Tim Bondarenko (Student) on: Jul 25, 2013

• We extend our sincere condolences to the family. Although we met Gary only once, his warm and caring nature was already apparent and felt by us. - Posted by: Nick and Enza Conicella and Family () on: Jul 25, 2013

• I'm so sorry to hear of Gary's sudden passing. I know he will be missed greatly by all those who know him, and the lives he has touched along the way. My deepest sympathy and sorrow for Jennifer, Stacey and Susan. - Posted by: Crystal Rolke (Childhood friend of Jennifer) on: Jul 25, 2013

• I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of your loving family member. He will always be with you in you heart and mind, never stop talking to him. - Posted by: Sandra Lamb (Friend to his sister Val) on: Jul 25, 2013

• I was saddened to hear of the passing of the greatest principal I ever worked for at RB Russell School. Gary was an inspiration and his belief in me and my abilities gave me the confidence to be the best I could be. I was very proud to see Gary wearing the Metis sash I gifted him during Metis Day that I organized for the school. Although I didn't see much of Gary after I retired I thought of him often. I recently looked at the pictures taken at RB Russell and read the book he gifted all the teaching staff at RB called "What do you make?" A book for and about teachers by Tom Hierck with illustrations by Anne DeGrace and I got emotional. I will never forget Gary because in his way he changed me and made me a much better person and for that I will be forever grateful. R.I.P. Gary! - Posted by: Linda St. Cyr (Teacher) on: Jul 25, 2013

• My sincere sympathies to the Comack family for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you. - Posted by: School Trustee Mike Babinsky () on: Jul 24, 2013

• Our sincere condolences to Susan and the Comack families.....very sorry to hear of Gary's passing.... - Posted by: John and Claudette Normandeau () on: Jul 24, 2013

• So saddened to hear of Gary's passing. He truly cared about the kids he worked with and was a thoughtful and forward thinking administrator. Prayers are with the family tonight... - Posted by: Grant Shaw (Colleague) on: Jul 24, 2013

• I worked with Gary at Adult Education Centre, for 3 years. I found him to be super supportive and approachable. He was a valuable boss and friend. We will all miss him. - Posted by: Kathy Claeys (Gary was my boss) on: Jul 24, 2013

• Our deepest condolences to the Comack Family. - Posted by: Kelly & Daniel Minucci (Friends) on: Jul 24, 2013

• May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. - Posted by: Rosa Colatruglio & Family (Colleague and friend) on: Jul 24, 2013

• I'm saddened to hear of the passing of my former Varsity basketball coach Gary Komack. He was a great role model for all of us. Back in 1983 our team was 4th place in the Province which was quite impressive considering that our team didn't have many tall players. Gary focused on teamwork and defensive strategy on the court. He never raised his voice at us and always maintained he cool at games and at practices. I last spoke with Gary in 2008 at R.B. Russel school. I had him format a videotape of our basketball team playing against Tec-Voc at Sisler that was broadcast on public access television. We won that game by one point. I gave him a copy, and we had a great visit reminiscing about the past, and where are they now? Thanks for the memories Coach. I'll see you on the other side. Say hi to Mark Tynes for me. - Posted by: Chris Malloy (Varsity basketball player.) on: Jul 24, 2013

• So sad to hear this news. We will miss seeing Gary working on his beautiful garden and back yard. - Posted by: Irene and John (Back Yard Neighbours) on: Jul 24, 2013

• I was very sorry to hear about Gary's sudden passing. We worked together around the COSL directors table in the past. He was a very knowledgeable educational leader and kind hearted. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. - Posted by: Tammy MacDonald (colleague) on: Jul 24, 2013

• Our deepest condolences and sympathies to Susan and all of the Comack family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Carol & Marlene Agland (cousins) on: Jul 24, 2013